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States Settle Claims Against Wireless Carriers
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Attorneys general from 31 states including Ohio have entered into settlements with three of the nation's largest wireless telephone carriers -- Cingular Wireless, Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless, reports Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro. These settlements resolve state consumer protection investigations of the carriers, focusing on alleged misleading advertisements and unclear disclosures relating to service-agreement terms and wireless-coverage areas."Consumers deserve clear information about the services they receive and should not be subjected to unexplained costs or hidden fees," Petro says.The settlement requires the carriers to:Provide coverage maps to consumers.Give consumers 14 days to try the service and make sure they receive service in the areas they want. If not, they can return it without an early termination fee.Refund the activation fee if the consumer decides to cancel within three days. After three days, the carriers are not obligated to refund the activation fee.Change the way they advertise and sell their services and coverage.Pay $5 million to the Attorneys General to cover the costs of the multi-state inquiry and for general consumer education. Ohio will receive $106,666.66.In addition to Ohio, states entering into the settlement with the carriers are Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming."